on the rim

A lot of emotion today.  Partially because I know that I will  be leaving my choir, probably in better hands, but also just thinking that the clock is now really getting  tight.  I am happy, and should be, obviously, but that doesn't take away the love I feel towards my ward in Twin.   The main reason is the song that the choir sang today.  Alice Beebe wrote the lyrics to the song "Walking in the Light of God" which her husband Larry so beautifully arranged.  I believe that the song was written, at least in part, as a devotion to God, celebrating the dedication of the Kansas City Missouri Temple, of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What a beautiful concept, Walking in the Light of God.  All of mankind is born with the Light of Christ within them.  This light helps point us to make good choices, to choose good over evil, and to help us find our way back to God.  No matter what our circumstance, no matter how far w...

On Christmas Day, I will most likely be starting a new life.  Or rather, I WILL be starting a new life.  It will likely be the first day of my unemployment, better known as retirement. It is not a huge surprise, though there was a chance that it wouldn't happen.  That chance was increased in July by a comment by one of the muckie mucks of my employer.  They opted to not follow through, which is okay by me. Any change in life brings stress.  Good change, bad change,  all bring stress.  No different here.  Adapting to the realization that 28 years in a career is coming to an end is not fun.  I have been blessed beyond measure to do a job that I enjoy.  I would say that I owe a debt of gratitude to my employer, but in reality, they paid me a fair wage, and I provided them value for it, so even. Trying to map out everything for my successor is going to be a challenge.  So many things I do, I just do.  Documenting them will be...

As a preface, I will say that I am presenting views of Columbus based on doctrine of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  If you are interested read on.  If not, you were warned.  While I think that the doctrine is correct, it is only represented as my opinion and belief. I wanted to take a moment to write about Columbus Day, and the why.  Starting by going back to nearly 600 years BC.  1st  Nephi 13:   12  And I looked and beheld a man among the Gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters; and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and  wrought  upon the man; and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the promised land. This is from the Book of Mormon, translated by a young man on the frontier with very little formal education.  How?  Through the power of God.   What did Columbus have to say about his desire to go wes...

I haven't finished with the Star Child CD, not by a long shot.  These are not the experience today, and I wonder if it ever was the reality or Brigham Young University (BYU) or Ricks College (now BYU-I).   I never attended BYU, but the legends, or stereotypes were there, and they live on.  I am not sure about how valid they are today.  Not sure that all the young men and women that go to BYU, or BYU-Idaho, are on the same path they used to be. Based on the devotions and talks given regarding dating and courting and how they are not happening would indicate that they are not.  While extremely cheesy, I suspect more than a few would like the stereotype to be the reality.  So, a two-fer. The first is Matrimony .  Marie has decided to go to the dance, the music is a very disco type beat, and well, the words speak for themselves. Matrimony, Milk and Honey Happy Valley, Have a ball With a hey, and a hi, And a hi back too and I love you Take a gir...

We have been blessed so far this Conference time.  So many good words.  Not sure why they are impacting me more, but feeling somewhat at peace with myself, for the first time in a while. It saddens me that people will go to the effort to get tickets to conference, to go in the conference center, so that they can stand against the prophet of God.  People have their agency, and I respect that, but, if you are so dead set against the prophet, then why are you a member of the church?  No, some moron trying to make a point has any impact on what I believe, but can you imagine how some of the nicest, most Christlike men on earth feel hearing someone make a point to stand against them, after all the work they do? I would also say that I am saddened by hearing the MTC choir singing.  Whenever I do, I can't help but go back and replay this video https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zgA0shs3L28 I know that people have agency, children have agency, and we were told very...